From these ancient shards I puzzle out history—
Lessons learned in the moss and stone
Of abandoned castles, broken towers.
Only dim lights remain casting shadows on
The ascending stairs connecting the rooms
No reptiles are we—
Reptiles live in towers alone:
The crumbling Irish tower,
Symbol of strength,
Exquisite Irish beauty,
Losing time to time to shadows.
It is evening.
Who did not create this world;
To drink the sacrificial blood,
To tell their tales,
To be remembered.
The poet must be transformed
By violence, awe and terror,
By magic.